HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Lawmakers and the Guam Visitors Bureau expressed opinions on Bill 204-37 during a public hearing held Tuesday at the Guam Congress Building in Hagåtña.
The bill, introduced by prime sponsor Sen. Frank Blas Jr. and co-sponsors Sens. Telo T. Taitague and Jesse A. Lujan, was created relative to the hiring and responsibility of the Guam Visitors Bureau’s attorney.
“There has been talk as to whether or not the liability and the culpability of those utilization of this funds, who does that fall under?” said Blas.
“There’s certain things that need to be addressed that hasn’t been addressed for years. To the point where they take these certain guidelines for granted and basically created their own, what we call jungle rules,” said Taitague.
She added that there are liability issues present.
“There are procurement processes that are done, and this is done with the president of GVB and the attorney. The establishment of a relationship is important between the general manager (and) president of GVB and the attorney that represents the agency,” said Taitague.
There was no physical presence representing the Guam Visitors Bureau during the hearing.
GVB President and CEO Carl T.C. Gutierrez and Vice President Gerry Perez submitted a written testimony.
Both didn’t attend due to “global marketing representatives and the crash.”
“The background and current status that they mentioned (in their testimony) is basically saying it’s confusing,” said Taitague.
Gutierrez and Perez provided background on the situation, stating that certain bylaws had caused operational disagreement and often personal conflict.
“This situation had escalated to the point where an internal review by GVB council revealed business control and accountability issues. Some of which have been referred to appropriate authorities. These issues can and could be resolved with much greater clarity by amending the current bylaws,” said Gutierrez and Perez in their testimony.
The management and the board were able to work out a “much more improved operating relationship”, eliminating the need for legislative assistance, by agreeing to meet once a month.
“If this is something they can work out, and it doesn’t need our assistance, then so be it,” said Blas.
The Guam Visitors Bureau office is seen Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, in Tumon.
